Jun 7, 2020 - Grade 6 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Parents,

Below is the update from our class grade 6 Sunday AM this week.

We continued e-balavihar sessions through zoom.

With Almighty, our Poojya Gurudev and our Swamiji's blessings,we are staying optimistic in these challenging times and making the best use of our given opportunities.

Today, 6/7 we had the last session before the break for summer and we pray that we are able to go back to our ashram and be with all in person from fall for the next Balavihar year 2020-2021

At His Service.

7th June 2020 / 9:15AM

Shlokas

We started with regular opening prayers. We learned the 10th verse of Mahisasura Mardhni stothram.

We learned a new Bhajan "Amba Parameswari"

We had fun games all through the session and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We played memory magnet game first, Charades based on characters from Mahabharata followed by Whose line is it anyway', each one coming up with a funny line forming a story based on the theme of nature  and animals.

After which all kids shared their takeaways/ lessons learned/interesting facts from their Balavihar class. It was very rewarding to note how they observed minute details and nuances and learned from the characters in the Mahabharata.
Finally before we bid a lovable virtual goodbye, there was an "award ceremony" based on the voting system. Each child was given an award based on their skill and talent.

Some pics from today.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5PYWJXJZ4euzF2bv9

What was remarkable about this year- This year we performed Lakshmi Pooja on Diwali day at our Ashram class. Once we started the virtual classes, to make it interesting and to bring in the personal feel in learning and sharing, we tried to bring in a lot of fun stuff and interesting aspects towards creative learning- we donned traditional Indian attire while learning about clothing of India. We had a mini music- classical and western and dance concerts while learning Indian music and dances. We performed Shodasopachara pooja while learning the rituals. We virtually traveled across many Indian Temples- spiritually or Historically inclined and also traveled to scenic spots and noted down fun facts across some major temples and temple cities of India.

Please note, the registration for the next balavihar year will be opened by mid/late June.  Please check out for emails on this.

You may reach out to us with any questions/queries.

There is an E balavihar summer camp 2020 coming up starting 6/15 through 8/15 (9 continuous weeks for a fee of $100 per child (sibling discount- yes) 2 hours per day Mon through Fri. Please click the registration link given here.

http://tinyurl.com/CMWSummerCamp

Please continue the likhita Japa.  Keep all your likhita japa at a pooja place in your home as a raksha at this critical times.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Please write back or text with questions or queries you may have.

Thank you all.

Grade 6 teachers Sunday AM

Latha Kakani and Vidhya Aiyer

May 31, 2020 - Grade 6 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Parents,

Below is the update from our class grade 6 Sunday AM this week.

We continued e-balavihar sessions through zoom.

With Almighty, our Poojya Gurudev and our Dear Swamiji's blessings, We are optimistic for betterment in every way in this challenging times until we all meet in person. We strongly believe "this too shall pass".

We're almost winding up this Balavihar year and 6/7 will be the last session before we break for summer and with all prayers we wish to go back to our dear ashram and be with all in person from fall for the next Balavihar year.

At His Service.

31st May 2020 / 9:15AM

Shlokas

We started with regular opening prayers. We learned the 9th verse of mahisasura Mardhni stothram.

India the Sacred land- Journey through India.

As the topic goes, we travelled interestingly through some audio visual session today. Few videos and more picture slide shows of temples- religious and spiritual : Historic monuments and Scenic spots of importance all through India.

We began today's session with some details of a few prominent Temples of India like-

1. Madurai Meenakshi Amman.

2. Lepakshi Veerabhadraswamy

3. Tirupathy Balaji

4. Ananthapadmanabhaswamy Trivandrum and

5. Brihadeeswarar big Temple Thanjavur

We started on the Spiritual exploration experience.

1. Konark temple

2. Kajuraho

3. Golden temple

4. Bahai - lotus temple

5. Bodhgaya

6. Mahabalipuram

Next was the Historic (Monuments) Exploration experience.

1. Taj mahal

2. Red Fort

3. Qtub Minar

4. Mysore Palace

5. Hawa Mahal

6. Ajanta/ellora

The last category was the Scenic exploration experience. (understanding the varied landscapes)

1. Srinagar, Kashmir

2. Backwaters of Alappuzhai

3. Munnar

4. Jaisalmer

5. Dilwara, Mt.Abu

6. Girnar Mountains

Followed by show and tell and discuss some fun facts on-

1. Kanyakumari Amman (Nose ring significance)

2. Vijaya Vitthala temple, Humpi musical pillars

3. Rudreswaraswamy temple 1000 pillars, Warangal

4. Konark Sun temple

5. Ajanta/ Ellora cave temples

6. Dwarka exploring under the sea

7. Amarnath lingam

8. Kailash/ Mansarovar  Parikrama yatra

9. Ram sethu Bridge- A NASA point of view.

Some pictures to enjoy from today's session.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wv3fjYrYqJhiTLPEA

There is an E balavihar summer camp 2020 coming up starting 6/15 through 8/15 (9 continous weeks for a fee of $100 per child (sibling discount- yes) 2 hours per day Mon through Fri. Please click the registration link given here.

http://tinyurl.com/CMWSummerCamp

To keep up all our spirits high, even at this lock-down, the field day activities are encouraged from home, since weather getting better, outdoor activities along with sun shine is fun. Please join the Chinmaya vrindavan Balavihar facebook page and please post/share/upload your activit(ies)/(y) videos and gain points for your respective houses.

Please continue the likhita Japa.  Keep all your likhita japa at pooja place in your home as a raksha at this critical times.

We concluded our session with the Santhi manthra.

Requirements for class

*We start at 9.15 with opening prayers and it will not be nice if kids (walk) log in while the chanting is going on. Kindly please be inside the Virtual classroom at 9.15 or a couple minutes prior to the start.

*Please (send in) have a notebook and a pen or pencil and kindly remind them to note down important pointers which are written on the smart board as we explain. (Please make them have their "My prayers book" and the handbook by them for sure)

*Noting on a solid notebook is optional (kindly no loose papers, please. If yes, please file them accordingly then and there) Please remind kids to make a good choice.

*Please ensure the kids have a bottle (unbreakable) of water by them.

*Please write your full name as you enter the waiting room for the host to identify you and avoid any zoom bombings.

Please stay safe and healthy.

 

Next class is on 06/7/2020  at zoom- the last session before we go in for the summer.

Please write back or text with questions or queries you may have.

Thank you all.

Grade 6 teachers Sunday AM

Latha Kakani and Vidhya Aiyer

May 17, 2020 - Grade 6 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Parents,

Below is the update from our class grade 6 Sunday AM this week.

We continued e-balavihar sessions through zoom.

With Almighty, our Poojya Gurudev and our dear Swamiji's blessings, We are optimistic for betterment in every way in this challenging times until we all meet in person.

We strongly believe "this too shall pass".
At His Service.

17th May 2020 / 9:15AM

Shlokas

We started with regular opening prayers. We learned the 8th verse of mahisasura Mardhni stothram.

India the Sacred land- The Char Dham Yatra
The Char Dham ("four abodes") is a set of four pilgrimage sites in India. It is  believed that visiting these sites helps achieve "Moksha" (salvation).

They are- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and the Gangotri
Badrinath-Near the banks of Alaknanda river. legend explains both name and sitting posture as this place was full of Badri bushes and Vishnu meditating for, beloved Lakshmi stood next to him sheltering him from scorching sunlight turned into a Badri herself and her lord (Nath) became the BadriNath.This temple is closed for 6 months in winter and cold weather. Adi Sankaracharya built a temple here for Lord Narayana.

Kedarnath-The Abode of lord Shiva at the banks of the mandakini river.  The Pandava brothers, came here to meet Shiva because they wanted to seek forgiveness for killing their kin during the war.  Lord Shiva  turned into a bull and dived into the earth. The Pandavas worship the hump formed because of the dive as the Lingam. Nara and Narayana rishis did penance and got to have the divine darsan of Lord Siva. Adi Sankaracharya has worshiped here.

Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna river and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna. This is famous for thermal springs, glaciers and scenic locales. It is believed that a holy dip here in the river relieves from any painful death. The pilgrims cook rice and boil potatoes for prasad from the hot springs.

Gangotri town located at the banks of river Bhagirathi is the origin of river Ganga. Birthplace of Ganga is devprayag, where the Bhagirathi meets Alaknanda. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga took the form of a river to wash away the sins of King Bhagiratha's predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries.

The Chota Chardham yatra

The four Shankaracharya Peeth (Seats) at the Chaar Dham school of Hinduism, created at least four Hindu monastic institutions. He organized the Hindu practitioners under four Maths (institutions/monasteries), with the headquarters at Dwaraka in the West, Puri Jagannatha temple in the East, Sringeri Saradhambal in the South and Badrikasrama in the North.

Badrinath i.e. the Lord of Berry forest. This all happened in the Sathya/Sath-Yugam. So Badrinath came to be known as the first chota Dham.

The second place, Rameswaram when Lord Rama (Treta Yugam) built a Shiva-Lingam here and worshiped it to get the blessings of Lord Shiva

The third Dhaam Dwarka  when Lord Krishna (Dwapara yugam) made Dwarka His residence instead of Mathura, His birthplace

The fourth one i. e. Puri Dhaam has got its own significance. Lord Vishnu getting worshiped here as Jagannath.

The 12 Jyotirlingas

Jyoti is Agni. Siva Puranam says Lingam is a form of Shiva, the pillar of light on earth. There are 12 such bright Jyotirlingams all are self ascended, suyambhu, signifying the Lord chose to take a form (lingam) at that particular spot.

1.Somnath - Gujarat

2.Mallikarjuna - Andhra Pradesh

3.Mahakaleswarar - Madhya Pradesh

4.Omkareswarar- Madhya Pradesh (Adi sankaracharyal met his Guru Ji Govinda Bhagavatpadar here)

5.Vaidyanath- Jharkhand

6.Nageswarar - Gujarat

7.Kedareswarar- Uttarakhand

8.Triambakeswarar-Maharashtra

9.Rameswarar- Tamilnadu

10. Bhimasankar- Maharashtra

11.Viswanathar- Uttar Pradesh

12. Grsneswarar- Maharashtra

The Holy cities of India

A List of Holy Pilgrimage Sites in Hinduism, which bless the Pilgrims with Moksha (Liberation from Cycle of Birth and Death).

1.Varanasi (Spiritual capital of India)

2.Prayag (The Triveni sangamam)

3.Haridwar/Haradwar (The entry point of the Dham yatra)
4.Rishikesh/Hrishikesh (The yoga capital of the world)

5.Mathura (Lord Krsna janma sthalam)

6.Vrindavana (The Lords' growing up sthalam)

7.Ayodhya (SriRama Janma bhoomi)

8.Ujjain (Sakthi peetham)

9.Dwaraka (Lord Krsna's kingdom)

10.Kanchipuram (The temple city, Nagareshu Kanchi says Mahakavi Kalidasa)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HXBuLyvveysqGbEi8

There is an E balavihar summer camp 2020 coming up starting 6/15 through 8/15 (9 continous weeks for a fee of $100 perchild (sibling discount- yes) 2 hours per day Mon through Fri. Please click the registration link given here.

http://tinyurl.com/CMWSummerCamp

Please do the likhita Japa (4 pages at a time) click pics and send it to house contest email. Keep all your likhita japa at pooja place in your home as a raksha at this critical times.

We concluded our session with the pledge.

Requirements for class

*We start at 9.15 with opening prayers and it will not be nice if kids (walk) log in while the chanting is going on. Kindly please be inside the Virtual classroom at 9.15 or a couple minutes prior to the start.

*Please (send in) have a notebook and a pen or pencil and kindly remind them to note down important pointers which are written on the smart board as we explain. (Please make them have their "My prayers book" and the handbook by them for sure)

*Noting on a solid notebook is optional (kindly no loose papers, please. If yes, please file them accordingly then and there) Please remind kids to make a good choice.

*Please endure the kids have a bottle (unbreakable) of water by them.

*Please write your full name as you enter the waiting room for the host to identify you and avoid any zoom bombings.

Please stay safe and healthy.

 

Next class is on 05/31/2020  at zoom (No class on memorial long weekend)

Please write back or text with questions or queries you may have.

Thank you all.

Grade 6 teachers Sunday AM

Latha Kakani and Vidhya Aiyer

 

May 10, 2020 - Grade 6 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Parents,

Below is the update from our class grade 6 Sunday AM this week.

We continued e-balavihar sessions through zoom. The kids are comfortable in the new set-up and are at their best cooperation and behavior needless to say. We thank all parents of our class who are very cooperative and helping their wards as per the needs. With Almighty, our Poojya Gurudev and our dear Swamiji's blessings today's  session saw a smooth sail. We hope for betterment in every way in the virtual classroom set up until we meet in person.

We strongly believe "this too shall pass"

At His Service.

10th May 2020 / 9:15AM

Shlokas

We started with regular opening prayers. We dedicated a few verses of Gurusthothram to our Pujya Gurudev .

India the Sacred land- Why do we go to the temple?

*Idol- Saguna Bramha--helps us focus on the form and creates the awareness of God's presence.

*Temple visit purifies and calms the mind.

*The temple- fulfills the spiritual needs of a person.

*The temple visit kindles our senses. Hearing the bell sound, Seeing the Lord in the light of karpoora neerajanam, the smell of agarbathis and flowers, the touch of the deepam and the taste of theertham and  prasadam.

The Cultural Role of the Temple

Place of spiritual learning and celebration of festivals.
*Dedication of Music and Arts. A person could express his/her art in the temple as worship to the Lord.
A place where people come together, to share common experience- not only spiritual nature but also cultural awakening and upliftment of the people (community centers)

Murthi Sthapana & Prana Pratishtha
The installation of religious idols and important poojas to be performed.

Ganesa pooja

Navagraha pooja

Kumbhabhisegum (Gopura darisanam)

Kalasa pooja

Dravya pooja

Atma Pooja

We watched our ashram Temple inauguration highlights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo3vcQnIeOA&t=17s

Sodasopachara pooja--16 steps of Puja

1. Dhyanam (prayer)- Dhyanam is reciting a short prayer specific to god that one worships and engage our mind into lotus feet of that God

2. Avahana (invocation)-Inviting the worshiped God/Goddess to come to the place of worship  by chanting the Vedic verse,as though you are inviting a lovable guest.

3. Aaasana (offering seating)-Offering the worshiped God a seat.

4. Paadya (washing of feet)-Wash the feet of God by pouring water at His feet.

5. Arghya (washing of hands)-Water is offered to the deity to wash hands.

6. Aachamana (Offering water to drink)-Water is offered to drink with the chanting of the relevant vedic mantra.

7. Snana (bathing with water or panchamruthas)-Sprinkle water on God as if giving Him bath. In a detailed pooja, bath God with panchamrutham (Milk, Yoghurt, Ghee, Honey, Sugar, Coconut Water, Fruit Juice, Sandal Powder, Turmeric one at a time). This is followed by bath with fresh water.

8. Vastra (new clothes), Abharana-Offer new clothes, Jewellery. Imagine that you adore the Lord with the ornaments of your love and other good qualities.

9. Yajnopavita (sacred thread)-Offer Yajnopaveetham(sacred thread/flower/akshathas).

10. Gandha (sandal paste)-Place sandalwood paste on the forehead of God.

11. PushpaArchana (flowers)-Glorify God by reciting His 108 names, and offer one flower or a petal at a time.

12. Dhoopam (incense)-Show incense to God. 

13. Deepam (Oil lamp)-Show oil lamp to God. It is not expected to make your guest to sit in the dark.

14. Naivedyam (offering of specially prepared food).-Offer specially prepared food to God. This food must be prepared in a satvik manner without tasting or smelling it.We offer hot food and the steam is smelt by the lord before it comes back to us as Prasad.

15. Tamboolam (offering Betel Leaves and Betel nuts)-Betel leaves and  nuts are offered to God after the Naivedhyam. After delicious food, it is the practice to offer betel leaves for proper digestion.

16. Neerajanam and Atma Pradakshinam-Camphor lamp is shown to God. After every puja, aarati is offered to the deity. This is an important and auspicious occasion when the Lord himself has come home, so we show him our utmost devotion.

First couple verses of Manthrapushpam were chanted as well.

One teacher performed pooja while the other teacher read out the pooja vidhi and mantras. 

Some pictures to enjoy. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/c7kzntD1u2NyNvDq5

In Story time we saw a story from Panchatantra tales which showed some basic values for living.

Please kindly signup for the house contests- Story telling (audio to be sent, on or before 5/17 to cnjbalaviharhouses@gmail.com) The registration link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScl5g-YdjTV4_pczP7OsQSGLqhrUUfjrYYnsDYD6UDunZhJew/viewform

The essay(contest) due on 5/17. Details in the whatsapp group.

Please do the likhita Japa (4 pages at a time) click pics and send it to house contest email. Keep all your likhita japa at pooja place in your home as a raksha at this critical times.

Today being Mother's day, we chanted along the Matrustavanam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4SmLLc-48M

There is an E balavihar summer camp 2020 coming up starting 6/15 through 8/15 (9 continous weeks for a fee of $100 perchild (sibling discount- yes) 2 hours per day Mon through Fri. Please see the pics for the details. The email format will be sent out as we get them. Thanks.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oc3qeLaPG5HTLfLr8

We concluded our session with the chinmaya arathi.

Requirements for class

*We start at 9.15 with opening prayers and it will not be nice if kids (walk) log in while the chanting is going on. Kindly please be inside the Virtual classroom at 9.15 or a couple minutes prior to the start.

*Please (send in) have a notebook and a pen or pencil and kindly remind them to note down important pointers which are written on the smart board as we explain.

*Noting on a solid notebook is optional (kindly no loose papers, please. If yes, please file them accordingly then and there) Please remind kids to make a good choice.

*Please write your full name as you enter the waiting room for the host to identify you and avoid any zoom bombings.

Please stay safe and healthy.

 

Next class is on 05/17/2020  at zoom

Please write back or text with questions or queries you may have.

Thank you all.

Grade 6 teachers Sunday AM

Latha Kakani and Vidhya Aiyer

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video Chinmaya Vrindavan Inauguration highlights